Tube connecting device



F. E. KEY

TUBE GONNECTING DEVICE Aug. 2l, 1934.l

mgm

Original Filed March 30 1935 Patented Aug. 2l, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,970,856 TUBE coNNEcTrNG nEvrcE Frederick E. Key, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to Key Boiler Equipment Company, East St. Louis, Ill., a corporation of Missouri 12 Claims.

This invention relates to tube connecting devices, and has special reference to devices designed and adapted for use in oil cracking stills, as well as other tubular structures in which it 5 is desirable to maintain communication between adjacent ends of adjacent tubes.

This is a. division of my co-pending application Serial No. 663,459, led March 30, 1933, for Tube connecting device now lPatent No. 1,955,003,

l issued April 17, 1934.

Objects of the invention are to provide a connecting device for maintaining communication between adjacent ends of adjacent tubes held in xed relationship to each other and to said l device; to provide one or more openings in said connecting device through which access is afforded to the inside of said device and to one o1' both of said tubes with which said device is connected; to provide removable deflector plugs o of novel construction and arrangement for closing said openings, formed with relatively large relieved surfaces or recesses having communication with the inside of the attached connecting device and adapted to receive and contain a substantial mass of coke of porous characteristic, as

contrasted with coke of hard substantially nonporous characteristic that is formed in smaller surfaces, in 'order to facilitate the breaking of the coke and the removal of the deilector plugs; J0 to provide improved means for mounting and securing said deiiector plugs in proper relationship so that the inner surfaces of said. plugs will be continuous with the inner surface of a portion of the connecting device; and to provide :i5-al1 of the other featuresA of construction herein disclosed or made apparent from the following description, reference being made to the annexed drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a sectional view of one of the connecting devices 'forming communication between adjacent ends of adjacent tubes.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation ofi a complete connectingdevice of the type shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of connecting device. V

As shown, the parallel tubes 1 and 2 are to be connected and placed in communication at adjacent ends by an approximately U-shaped .connecting device 3 having outwardly extended tubular portions 4 and an inwardly tapered opening 5 into the device 3 from the inner end -of each of the tubular portions 4. These openin s 5 are in exact or approximate alinement with the open ends of the passage through the f device 3, and with the tubes 1 and 2to which the ends of the device 3 are attached by coupling devices 6 adjusted to hold the ends of the tubes ,1 and 2- in a relationship to the ends of the device 3 to form leak-proof and impervious joints, all as fully disclosed in my said companion application Serial No. 663,459. 'i

The walls of the openings 5 are smoothly ground and constitute seats for th'e smoothly ground peripheral surfaces of the deflector plugs 7 so that, when a dei-lector plug 7 is properly mounted in an opening 5, an hermetic 'and leak-proof joint is formed by the contacting surfaces of the wall of the opening 5 and the peripheral surface of the deflector plug 7. Clearly, this leak-proof `joint may be obtained otherwise than by tapered openings and plugs, and I contemplate such variations. Each deflector plug 7 has an inwardly extended skirt 8 having its inner surface 9 curving concentrically with and about the axis of the passage through the device 3. Thus, the wall 9 of each skirt 8 forms a continuous smooth wall surface of the proper curvature to deflect the flowing oil or other fluid, liquid or gaseous, passing through the device from the pipe 1 to the pipe 2, and vice versa.

Each plug 7 is formed with a relief or recess 10 which will become filled with a body of coke of a porous and frangible characteristic, permitting easy removal of the plug. A narrow passage 11 from the relief or recess 10 separates .the arcuate outer surface of the skirt 8 from the correspondingly shaped inner surface of the passage through the device 3 and may become lled with a thin layer of coke having a less porous and vless frangible characteristic than the mass of coke accumulated or formed in the relief or recess 10. I have found by experience and observation that the coke that forms in the passage 11 is extremely hard and if such Va space as the passage 11 is provided without the relief or recess 10, it is almost impossible to pull the plug from the opening. But with the relatively large relief or recess 10 communicating with the interior of the U-bend or U-shaped connecting device 3 there is no serious dilculty in pulling the plug from the opening. `While the coke that accumulates and forms in the relief or recess 10 in some particulars resembles the coke that forms 'inthe narrow passage 11, nevertheless it is an easy matter to break the coke in the relief or recess 10 and to pull out the plug.

This construction facilitates the provision of a leak-proof joint between the body of eachplug 7 and the wall of the opening 5 in which said plug is mounted because of the comparatively short length of the abutting surfaces along which perfect fit and leak-proof contact must be obtained. Accordingly, the several advantages'indicated, and others which should now be apparent, are obtained by the provision of the relatively large relief or recess 10.

The inner wall of each tubular extension 4 has a groove 12 designed and adapted to receive a laterally extended lug 13 rigid with the body of the plug 7. The groove 12 and the engaging lug 13 constitute means for locating and guiding the plug 7 to the exact proper position for proper functioning of the skirt 8 and for preventing rotation of theplug.

An outwardly extended threaded stem 14 projects axially from the outer end of the body ofthe plug 7. An outwardly convexed annular shoulder 15 is formed on the outer end of the plug' 7 at the union of the: stem 14 *with the body of the plug-7, and is abutted by a similarly curved annular concaved wall on the inner end of a screw plug 16. The screw plug 16 has an enlarged axial hole 17 through which the stem 14 extends. The hole 17 is preferably of somewhat larger diameter lthan the diameter ofthe stem 14 in order to permit free cooperation of the convex wall 15 with the abutting wall on the inner end of the screw plug 16 without any restraint or limitation of such cooperation by the stem 14. By this construction, I obtain a greater bearing area between the abutting surfaces of the plugs 7 and 16, and the very considera-ble stresses to which these parts are subjected when in use are more evenly distributed.

The inner ends of the plugs 16 are circumferentially threaded and screw into threads formed on the inner sides of the tubular portions 4.

A nut 18 is screwed on each stem 14 and functions as a jack or release device to apply Very considerable pressure on the plug 7 to start said plug from its seat against the wall aroundthe opening 5 when it is desired to remove the plug 7. This use of the nut 18 is performed by screwing the plug 16 outwardly against the nut 18.

Each plug 16 is formed with a number of laterally extended arms 19a adapted to be struck by a hammer or the like, or engaged by a wrench, to turn the plug 16 in screwing said plug to or from its nal adjusted position.

A number of holes 19 through the tubular portions 4 perform the functions of permitting any particles of coke or other substances to be discharged when the plug 7 is out and the tube is being cleaned by operation of an appropriate device used for that purpose. These holes 19 also. function as indicating devices to afford visual indication `to the operators when there is a leak around the plug 7, because the leaking fluid will emerge through and become visible at the holes 19. These holes 19 open between the plugs 7 and 16 in the assembled relationship of the device.

A connecting device 20, shown in Fig. 3, differs in form from the connecting device 3 by omitting one of the extended tubular portion 4 and equipment in connection therewith. In the form shown in Fig. 3, the connecting device has its ends abutting and hermetically jointed with the ends of the tubes 1 and 2 by coupling devices .6, already described. A single extended tubular portion 21 is provided in connection with the connecting'device 2D in alinement with one of the tubes. The plug device and other elements assembled in connection with the tubular portion 21 are the same as the plug device and other elements assembled in connection with each tubular portion 4, already described, and

like reference numerals are applied thereto since the parts are the same and perform the same functions.

A fu1crum22 is formed in connection with the outer sideof the coupling device 20 in axial lalinement with that end of the coupling device opposite from the opening 5.

A wrench for engaging and turning on the fulcrum 22 and for operating the adjacent coupling 6 is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This wrench comprises a socket 23 adapted to receive the fulcrum 22' and to turn about the same. An arcuate skirt 24 is formed in integral connection with the socket 23 and has teeth 25 adapted to engage in notches 26 in the adjacent end of the coupling device 6 in order to turn said coupling device 6. A projection 27 in integral connection with the socket 23 constitutes a handle'that may be struck or engaged by an appropriate tool in order to turn the socket 23 about the fulcrum 22 as an axis. The wrench, being held in engagement with the coupling 6, will rotate said coupling when the wrench is operated.

It must now be apparent that this invention obtains all of its intended objects efliciently and satisfactorily and is capable of considerable variation as to form and arrangement within the scope of equivalent limits.` I contemplate such variations as may be desirable to adapt the invention to connect tubes arranged in parallel relationship and, without restricting myself in these or other unessential particulars, I claim:

1. In a tubular arcuate connecting device of the character described having open ends and having an opening in approximate alinement with one of said open ends, a plug mounted in said opening and having a relatively large relief or recess in one .side portion intermediate of the ends thereof having a relatively restricted communication with the inside of said device.

2. In a tubular arcuate connecting device of the character described having openV ends and having an opening in approximate alinement with one of said open ends, a plug mounted in said opening and having a relatively large relief or recess in one side portion intermediate of the ends thereof having a relatively restricted communication with the inside of said device, and means for guiding said plug to position in said opening and for holding said plug from turning.

3. In a tubular arcuate connecting device of the character described having open ends and having an opening in approximate alinement with one of said open ends,` a. plug mounted in said opening and having a relatively large relief or recess in one side portion intermediate of the vends thereof having a relatively restricted communication with the inside of said device, means for guidingsaid plugto position in said opening and for holding said plug from turning, and means for forcing said plug to and holding said plug insealing contact with the wall of said opening outwardly beyond said relief or recess.

4. In a tabular arcuate connecting device hav- V joint having a relatively restricted vcommunication with the inside of said device, and means for holding said plug rigidly in position in said opening.

5. In a tabular arcuate connecting device having open ends and having a tapered opening in approximate alinement with one of said open ends, a tapered plug mounted in said opening and having the outer portion thereof forming a tight joint with the wall of said opening, said plug having a relatively large relief or recess in one side portion thereof inwardly from said joint having a relatively restricted communication with the inside of said device, means for holding said plug rigidly in position in said opening, and means for discharging fluid and solid substances from the outer end of said plug.

6.1711 a tabular arcuate connecting device having open ends and having an opening in approximate alinement with one of said open ends, a tubular portion integral with and projecting outwardly from said tubular device surrounding said opening, threads formed integral with the inner wall of said portion, a plug mounted in said opening and having an arcuate skirt forming a portion of the wall of said tubular device, means for guiding said plug to position in said opening and holding said plug from twisting, and a device having external threads engaging said first threads and being operative to force said plug into and to hold said `plug in and to withdraw said plug from said opening.

7. In a tubular arcuate connecting device having open ends and having an opening in approximate alinement with one of said open ends, a tubular portion integral with and projecting outwardly from said tubular device surround,-4

ing said opening, threads formed integral with` the inner wall of said portion, a plug mounted in said opening and having an arcuate skirt forming a portion of the wallof said tubular device, means for guiding said plug to position in said opening and holding said plug from twisting, and an element screwed into engagement with said threads in said tubular portion and forcing and holding said plug in sealing contact with the wall of said opening and being operative to Withdraw said plug from said opening.

8. In a tubular arcuate connecting device having open ends and'having. a tapered opening in approximate alinement with one of said open ends, a tapered closure plug mounted in said opening and having its peripheral surface near its outer end in sealing contact with the wall of said opening and its inner end forming a portion of the wall of said tubular device and having an enlarged relief or recess in one side portion intermediate of the ends thereof provided with relatively restricted communication with the inside of said device, and means holding said plug in rigid position in said opening.

9. In a tubular arcuate connecting device having open ends and having a tapered opening in approximate alinement with one of said open ends, a tapered closure plug mounted in said opening and having its peripheral surface near its outer end in sealing contact with-the wall of said opening and itsA inner end forming a portion of the wall of said tubular device and having an enlarged relief or recess in one side portion intermediate of the ends thereof provided with relatively restricted communication with the inside of said device, a device holding said plug from longitudinal displacement, and means for guiding said plug to proper position in said opening and for holdingsaid plug fromlrotation in said opening. l

10. In a tubular arcuate connecting device having open ends and having an opening in approximate alinement with one of said ends, a tubular portion integral with and` projecting from said device around said opening and having a hole through the wall thereof, a plug removably mounted in and Aclosing said opening, means for .guiding said plug to proper position in said opening and I for preventing said plug from turning, and an additional plug screwed into engagement with said tubular -portion and having one end engaging and holding said rst plug from longitudinal displacement and formingv therewith an annular space between said plugs communicating with. said hole.

11. In a tubular arcuate connecting device having open ends and having an opening in approximate alinement with one of saidends, a'tubular portion integral with and projecting from said devicearound said opening, a. plug removably mounted in and closing 'said opening,

a threaded stem integral with and projecting from the outer end of'said plug, an annular shoulder on the outer end of said plug around said stem, and an additional plug having a hole of larger diameter than said stem and through which said stem extends, said additional plug being screwed into said annular portion alnd having its inner end abutting against said shoulder.

12. In a tubular arcuate connecting device having open ends and having an opening in approximate alinement with one of said ends, a tubular portion integral with and projecting from said device around said. opening, a plug removably mounted in and; closing said opening, a threaded stem integral with and projecting from the-outer end of said plug, an annular shoulder on the outer end of said plug around said stem, an additional plug having a hole of larger diameter than said-stem and through which said stem extends, said additional plug being screwed into said annular portion and having its inner end abutting against -said shoulder, and a device mounted on said stem and cooperating with said additional plug to withdraw said rst plug from said opening.

FREDERICK E. KEY. 

